viðfangs

Viðfangs is an Icelandic noun that denotes objects of pursuit, attention, or consideration—essentially targets or matters to be dealt with. In contemporary usage, the form is relatively rare on its own and is more often encountered in historical, legal, or literary texts. A common modern counterpart is viðfangsefni, a compound that broadens the sense to mean subject matter, topic, or issue.

Etymology and form: The word is related to the base noun viðfang, formed from the preposition við (toward, against) and the root fang (catch). The appearance of viðfangs can reflect its function as a plural or as a genitive/possessive form in older or formal Icelandic texts. The sense conveyed by viðfangs centers on items that are to be caught, addressed, or pursued in some way.

Usage and relation to other terms: In historical documents, viðfangs may appear when enumerating targets, goals, or matters that require attention. In modern Icelandic, the more frequently used term for similar ideas is viðfangsefni, which more directly translates to “subject matter” or “topic.” Thus, viðfangs tends to have a more specific connotation of objects or matters that are actively to be pursued or considered, whereas viðfangsefni covers a broader range of topics or tasks.

See also: viðfang, viðfangsefni.